Coded target for neutron source

Abstract

The invention concerns a target intended to emit neutrons when it is bombarded with particles. It comprises neutron emissive parts (11) and neutron non-emissive parts (12) that are juxtaposed, said emissive and non-emissive parts forming a pattern of the type of that of a coded mask. Application in neutron generating tubes or particle accelerators.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention concerns a coded target for a neutron source such as a neutron generating tube or a particle accelerator. [0002] Neutron generating tubes are mainly used to carry out imaging or analysis, for example in the non-destructive testing of objects. The neutrons make it possible to determine the presence of practically all of the elements in the periodic table. One may thus use neutron generating tubes for analysing, controlling, dosing or searching for materials, for example drugs, explosives and radioactive waste in drums, ore or bulk materials. [0003] Particle accelerators such as linear accelerators supply neutrons with wide energy ranges. The applications may also be radiography applications or analysis of materials or even applications in nuclear medicine or in physics research. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART [0004] In said devices, the neutrons are generated by a target when it is bombarded with a highly accelerated particle beam. [0005] In metho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention proposes a new target for a neutron source that overcomes the limitations and difficulties of current targets. The target has a longer lifetime and higher efficiency, and does not require a precisely focused particle beam. It emits more neutrons than point targets and is suitable for delivering a higher flow of neutrons. The target comprises a pattern of neutron emissive and non-emissive parts. The non-emissive parts may be formed from a metal hydride deposited on a support in non-hydrogen fixing material through a stencil. The non-emissive parts may be made of molybdenum, steel, iron, copper, tungsten, or tantalum, or a combination of these metals. The target may be used in a particle accelerator or a neutron generating tube. It can be used in transmission radiography to decode an untreated image given by the neutrons having crossed through an object. The target can also be equipped with an α particle detector or a γ radiation detector for analysis or imaging of substances that may be hidden."

Problems solved by technology

However, a compromise has to be found between the lifetime of the target and the efficiency.

Moreover, it is not easy to focus the particle beam with precision.

Images